Indicia and method of applying the same



Dec.

J- B. VOMELA INDICIA AND METHOD OF APPLYING THE SAME Filed Jan. 5, 1963INVENTOR JOHN B. VOMELA BY M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,294,611INDICIA AND METHOD OF APPLYING THE SAME John B. Vomela, St. Paul, Minn,assignor to Vomela Specialty Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation ofMinnesota Filed Jan. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 249,182 7 Claims. (Cl. 156-230)This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying indicia toa generally fiat surface.

For numerous years, letters, numerals, and the like have been producedfor sale for use in forming a display sign or the like. For example,letters and numerals have been produced provided with a pressuresensitive adhesive covered with a protective covering. Upon removal ofthis covering, the letter or numeral can be applied to a surface toprovide a book display. It is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved device of this general type.

Letters and numerals of the type described are usually used by personsincapable of inscribin-g the letter or numeral upon the surface with abrush. As a result, the letters and numerals are not readily aligned andnot readily spaced with the proper spacing. It is a purpose of thepresent invention to provide a structure of the type described in whichthe letters and numerals are mounted upon rectangular mounting sheets sothat, by placing these mounting sheets in side by side relation, theletters or figures are properly aligned and properly spaced one fromanother.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of asimple and effective means of locating the letters and figures prior tothe application thereof to the surface in question. In accomplishingthis result, the letters or figures which are provided with a pressuresensitive surface are sandwiched between a backing panel and a coveringpanel, neither of which is effectively adhered to the figure, or letter.The covering panel is preferably out along a line exteriorly of theletter or figure so that a portion of this covering panel may beremoved, and the letter or figure with its covering panel may be appliedin proper relation to a surface. When properly located, the coveringpanel may be removed, and the pressure sensitive surface of the letteror figure may be applied to the surface, in proper relation to otherletters or figures.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a seriesof elements which have varying degrees of adhesive qualities. Thebacking sheet preferably includes an outer non-adhesive surface, and aninner surface which is coated with a material repellent to pressuresensitive adhesive, such as a coating of a silicone. The cut-out letteror figure is provided with a pressure sensitive surface capable ofretaining the letter or figure on a flat or generally fiat surface foran indefinite period. This adhesively coated surface is normally in facecontact with the adhesive repellent surface. An outer covering sheetcontiguous with the inner covering sheet has an outer nonaclhesivesurface, and an inner surface which is coated with a pressure sensitiveadhesive which is midly adhesive relative to the surface on the cut outfigure. As a result, the covering sheets may be readily removed from thecut out figure, one prior to the adhesion of the cut out figure to thesurface on which it it to be applied, and the other Patented Dec. 27,1966 of which is removable after the cut-out figure has been applied.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that thecovering sheet which overlies the adhesively coated surface of thefigure is split along a line parallel to an edge of the rectangularcovering sheet and outside of the figure. The covering sheet is split ata predetermined distance from the periphery of the letter or figure, andthe edges of the covering sheets are properly spaced from the peripheryof the figure or letter to properly space the indici-a when the figuresor letters are applied with the edges of the covering sheets in abuttingrelation and the slits in the backing sheets of the various letters orfigures are aligned.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the fact that thesame method of application may be used in conjunction with signsembodying a series of letters rather than applying the single lettersseparately.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention willbe more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification andclaims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification;

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one of the numbers in its original form.

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view of the number shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through the number, on an enlarged scale,the position of the section being indicated by the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the first step of applying the number to a surface,and in which a portion of the backing sheet is being removed to expose aportion of the rear surface of the covering sheet.

FIGURES shows the manner in which the letters or figures may be mountedin side by side relation, the view indicating the manner in which theremainder of the backing sheet may be removed.

FIGURE 6 illustrates diagrammatically the final step of the applicationof the figures or letters to the surface, the step indicating thecovering sheet being removed.

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view of a composite sign in which the lettersare prearranged betweenthe backing sheet and the covering sheet.

The letters and figures, indicated in general by the letter A, may beformed of plastic or other similar material as indicated by the numeral10. The letters or numerals 10 in the following specification, will bedescribed as cut-out figures, it being understood that these figurescould either be numerals or letters or other indicia of any typedesired. The letters or numerals are provided with a pressure sensitivesurface which is in face contact with a backing sheet 11. The backingsheet 11 is preferably rectangular in form, and includes a major portion12 which overlies the figure 10 and a separately removable portion 13,the two portions 12 and 13 being separated by a slit 14. As is indicatedin the drawings, the slit 14 is located externally of the outline of thefigure 1t and is located in a predetermined relation to the figure 10.For example, if the figures 10 are all of the same size, the slit 14 isspaced an equal distance from the periphery of the figure. Characterssuch as hyphens, punctuation marks and the same may be located atdifferent distances from the slit 14, but the arrangement is such thatwhen the slits 14 of the various figures are aligned, the cut-outfigures, whatever their nature, will be in proper relative relation. Theside edges 15 of the backing sheet are also so related to the peripheryof the cut out figures so that when the backing sheets are in edgeabutting relation, the cut out figures are properly spaced one from theother.

A covering sheet 16 which is also rectangular and contiguous with thebacking sheet 11 encloses the forward surface of the cut out figure 10.The covering sheet is coated upon its inner surface with a coating ofpressure sensitive adhesive which is relatively mild as compared to theadhesives on the cut-out figures. In other words, the covering sheet isweakly adherent to the backing sheet as well as to the forward surfacesof the cut out figures. The backing sheet 11 is coated with a repellentmaterial such as a coating of silicone, so that neither the relativelystrong adhesive characters of the cut out figure 10 or the relativelymild adhesive quality of the covering sheet 16 will provide a firm bondtherewith.

In other words, the composite numerals comprise one or more out outfigures having a strongly adhesive pressure sensitive back surface whichare sandwiched between a backing sheet and a covering sheet which arepreferably rectangular and contiguous in form. Neither the coveringsheet or backing sheet are strongly adhered to the cut out figure sothat both sheets may be readily stripped from the cut-out figure. Theslits which divide the backing sheet are parallel to an edge thereof,the edge being preferably at the top of the cut-out figure and inpredetermined spaced relation thereto.

The cut out figure or figures may be applied in the following manner. Inthe first place, the strip 13 which is located between the slit 14 andthe adjacent edge 17 of the covering sheet is stripped away. This canmost easily be accomplished by bending the covering sheet forwardly asindicated in FIGURE 4 of the drawings so that the strip 13 may be easilyengaged and withdrawn. The cut out figure may then be applied to adesired area of a generally fiat surface by merely adhering the exposedrear surface of the covering sheet 16 to this surface. During thisprocess, the cut-out figures 10 may remain sandwiched between the bodyportion 12 of the backing sheet 11 and the covering sheet 16.

When the various figures or letters are adhered in place, in side byside relation as indicated in FIGURE of the drawings, the body portion12 of each unit may be removed by swinging the lower portion of the unitforwardly and stripping the portion 12 from the adhesively coated areasof the covering sheet and cut-out figure. Once the backing sheet portion12 has been removed, the cut out figures supported by the covering sheetmay be swung back down into position and the cut-out figures may bepressed against the surface on which they are to be mounted. The cut outfigures will adhere strongly to the surface due to the nature of thepressure sensitive adhesive applied to the rear surface thereof. Oncethe cut-out figures have been applied to the surface, the front coveringsheet is stripped out of place in the manner shown in FIGURE 6 due tothe fact that the pressure sensitive adhesive on the rear of thecovering sheet is much milder or less adhesive than the coating on therear surface of the cut-out figure.

While much of the advantage of the structure described relates to theproper alignment of the cut-out figures when individually formed, thesame process may be followed where a series of predetermined cut outletters or figures are sandwiched between a front covering sheet and arear backing sheet as indicated at B in FIGURE 7. As in the previousstructure, the backing sheet is slit along the line 30 so that the upperportion of the backing sheet may be removed to properly locate theletters on the desired mounting surface. After the sign has been mountedin a desired position, the lower portion of the backing sheet may beremoved in the same manner as indicated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, thesign may be applied to the surface, and the front covering sheet maythen be stripped from the surface of the sign, leaving the letters,numerals, or the like forming the sign firmly adhered to the surface.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my improvement in method and apparatusfor applying indicia, and while I have endeavored to set forth the bestembodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may bemade within the scope of the following claims without departing from thespirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A sign forming structure including, in combination,

a covering panel of predetermined outline,

a cut-out figure of smaller dimensions than said covering panel lightlyadhered to said covering panel in spaced relation to the edges thereof,

a backing panel resistant to adhesion lightly adhered to said coveringpanel and underlying said figure to sandwich said figure between saidcovering panel and said backing panel,

a pressure sensitive adhesive covering the surface of said cut-outfigure in face contact to said backing panel, and

said backing panel being divided into two separate portions by a outline located at a predetermined distance from said cut-out figure.

2. A sign forming element including, in combination,

a flat cut-out flexible figure having a pressure sensitive adhesivesurface on one side thereof,

a backing panel on one side of said figure in contact with said figureand including a surface resistant to the pressure sensitive adhesive,the backing panel extending beyond the periphery of said figure,

a covering panel on the other side of said figure contiguous with saidbacking panel and lightly adhered to said backing panel,

said backing panel being divided into two parts by a line of separationlocated outwardly of said figure.

3. A sign forming element including,

a generally rectangular covering sheet having a pressure sensitiveadhesive surface thereon,

a cut-out figure having a non-adhesively coated surface lightly adheredto said surface of said covering sheet in spaced relation to at leastone edge thereof,

an adhesively coated surface on the side of said figure opposite to saidnon-adhesively coated surface and which has greater adhesive bondingcharacteristics than the adhesive surface of said covering sheet,

a backing sheet generally contiguous with said covering sheet andincluding a coating substantially repellent to said adhesively coatedsurfaces but to which said adhesively coated surfaces are attached withsufficient adhesion to hold the parts assembled, and

said backing sheet including a slit parallel to said one edge thereofand between the periphery of said cutout figure and said one edge.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which the substantially repellentcoating includes a silicone.

5. A method of applying a cut-out figure to a flat surface, the cut-outfigure including a pressure sensitive adhesive surface, and beingsandwiched between a pair of contiguous generally rectangular sheets,which extend beyond the margins of said figure one of which includes anadhesive repellent surface in face contact with the pressure sensitivesurface and the other of which includes an adhesive pressure sensitivesurface having substantially less adhesive bonding characteristics thanthe adhesive surface of said cut-out figure adhered to the other surfaceof said cut-out figure, and to said adhesive repellent surface of saidone sheet, said one sheet being slit along a line parallel to an edge ofsaid one sheet and exteriorly of said cut-out figure, the methodconsisting in removing the portion of said one sheet between said slitand said one edge,

adhering the exposed area of the other sheet to the said flat surfacelocating the cut-out figure in the desired position,

removing the remainder of the said one sheet to expose the pressuresensitive surface of the cut-out figure,

adhering the cut-out figure to the flat surface, and

removing the second sheet from the cut-out figure.

6. The method of claim 5 and including the step of applying a series ofsaid cut-out figures in side by side 1 relation while at least the otherof said sheets is attached thereto.

7. The structure of claim 3 and in which said slit is located apredetermined distance from the periphery of said cut-out figure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,985,554 5/1961Dickard 161-406 X 3,035,957 5/1962 Morgan 161406 X 3,094,451 6/1963Wagner 156-249 EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

M. L. KATZ, Assistant Examiner.

5. A METHOD OF APPLYING A CUT-OUT FIGURE TO A FLAR SURFACE, THE CUT-OUTFIGURE INCLUDING A PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE SURFACE AND BEINGSANDWICHED BETWEEN A PAIR OF CONTIGUOUS GENERALLY RECTANGULAR SHEETS,WHICH EXTEND BEYOND THE MARGINS OF SAID FIGURE ONE OF WHHICH INCLUDES ANADHESIVE REPELLENT SURFACE IN ACE CONTACT WITH THE PRESSURE SENSITIVESURFACE AND THE OTHER OF WHICH INCLUDES AN ADHESIVE PRESSURE SENSITIVESURFACE HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY LESS ADHESIVE BONDNG CHARACTERISTICS THANTHE ADHESIVE SURFACE OF SAID CUT-OUT FIGURE ADHERED TO THE OTHER SURFACEOF SAID CUT-OUT FIGURE, AND TO SAID ADHESIVE REPELLANT SURFACE OF SAIDONE SHEET, SAID ONE SHEET BEING SLIT ALONG A LINE PARALLEL TO AN EDGE OFSAID ONE SHEET AND EXTERIORLY OF SAID CUT-OUT FIGURE, THE METHODCONSISTING IN REMOVING THE PORTION OF SAID ONE SHEET BETWEEN SAID SLITAND SAID ONE EDGE, ADHERING THE EXPOSED AREA OF THE OTHER SHEET TO BESAID FLAT SURFACE LOCATNG THE CUT-OUT FIGURE IN THE DESIRED POSITION,REMOVING THE REMAINDER OF THE SAID ONE SHEET TO EXPOSE THE PRESSURESENSITIVE SURFACE OF THE CUT-OUT FIGURE, ADHERING THE CUT-OUT FIGURE TOTHE FLAT SURFACE, AND REMOVING THE SECOND SHEET FROM THE CUT-OUT FIGURE.